You can’t escape who you really are.’
‘What exactly do you want from me?’ said Neve.
‘Nothing. Well, not yet anyway,’ said Lee, the casual innocent tone back in his voice. ‘I’m just here doing my job. Helping young people. A bit like I helped Poppy the other day.’
‘Stay away from her!’ Neve found herself practically growling.
‘You know what I’ve found since I’ve been working with kids? It’s often the parents who cause the most problems. Kids like to talk to me. They can relate to me. It’s not my job to be friends with the parents. I’m there for the kids. I told Poppy that. I told her I was her friend now. Nice kid. Pretty.’
Neve flew at Lee, her fists clenched as she tried to pummel him. The first two connected with her target, but he was strong and grabbed her wrists. Spinning her around and pinning her up against the boathouse, his body pressed against hers.
‘You stay away from her,’ repeated Neve. She hoped she sounded convincing because, in truth, he scared her and what he could do to her family scared her even more. ‘If you don’t, I’ll tell them what you’re really like. I’ll report you for attempting to groom a minor. That won’t go down well in your line of work.’
Lee laughed and threw his head back before bringing it down and bumping his forehead against Neve’s and then leaning into her. She tried to move, but the pressure of him was too great.
Lee gave a snort and moved his head back, but still kept her arms pinned against the boathouse. ‘No, you won’t,’ he said. ‘Because if you do, then I’ll have to tell your husband a few home truths about you.’
Neve gulped. ‘There’s nothing to tell.’
‘No smoke without fire. Just planting the doubt would be enough.’
‘Likewise. I could plant a few doubts about you with the police. And I’m not just talking about Poppy. I haven’t forgotten anything. You’ve got more to lose than me.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that.’
In one swift movement, Lee yanked both Neve’s arms above her head and held them with one hand against the planks of wood. He traced his free hand down the side of Neve’s face, along the edge of her breast, down her side and gripped the waistband of her jeans between his fingers and thumb.
Neve considered her next move. A swift knee in the balls should do the trick. As if reading her mind, Lee moved his body to one side and then without warning, let go of her.
He laughed out loud. ‘Oh, Neve, you should have seen your face. It was a picture. Honestly, I got you there, didn’t I?’
‘And you reckon you’ve grown up,’ spluttered Neve. ‘Hardly.’
‘Sorry. I was just messing with you,’ said Lee. He held his arms out towards her.
‘Piss off,’ she snapped, tucking her shirt back into her jeans. ‘You may think you’re funny, but you’re not. You’re an idiot. And I meant what I said, you so much as speak to Poppy again and I’ll report you. I don’t care what you think you have over me, I can repair any damage you think you can do. You, however, won’t have the opportunity. You’ll be beyond repair. And don’t forget, you owe me.’
‘Ooh, fighting talk,’ said Lee and proceeded to hold his fists up and dance around, shadow boxing.
Neve called to Willow and hooked her onto the lead, before heading up the steps to the bridge. Lee called after her.
‘I do love you, Neve! I’m so glad we’ve found each other again!’
‘Go to hell!’ she yelled without looking back. If she looked at him now, he’d be sure to see the fear on her face.
Neve forced herself not to break into a run. She wanted to put as much distance between her and Lee as possible. It had been harder than she imagined seeing him again. And she hadn’t been prepared for the mix of emotions it had stirred up.
She could feel the tears sting her eyes as she battled with the memories of what happened that August. The festival had been a watershed moment for her and Megan, as they danced to the music, drank alcohol and took whatever substances Lee had on offer. It should have been the start of her and Megan growing up and experiencing life. They had so much they wanted to do together.
Neve headed across the meadow. She couldn’t face going home just yet. She didn’t want to bump into anyone in the village in the state she was in. She followed the path along the river bank, cutting across the top of the meadow. From here, she could take the long route around the back of the village and into Long Acre Lane.
The meadow grass tickled Neve’s ankles as she circumnavigated the field, following the curve of the boundary round towards the river. Clumps of yellow buttercups, dandelions and patches of red and white clover carpeted the ground like a patchwork quilt. As she walked along, the sun broke free from behind a cloud, making the water look like a sparkly glitter ball.
Willow mooched around, her nose close to the ground, snuffling away at the assortment of smells. Neve stopped to watch a pair of swans glide past, looking serene and elegant. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the warmth of the sun, the sound of the river gently rolling its way along and the chirp of a thrush calling from the trees.
It was a gorgeous spot with the stone bridge in one direction and the rolling South Downs National Park opposite. No doubt there was many a picture on social media with the hashtags #Ambleton #gorgeousview #beautiful #perfectspot. Neve couldn’t deny the beauty of the little village snuggled in the valley.
‘I thought that was you,’ came a voice behind her.
Neve jumped and spun round to see Jake coming towards her. She turned away again and wiped the tears from her face with her fingertips. ‘Just on my way home,’ she said, trying to muster up a light-hearted tone.
‘Neve? Are you OK?’
She felt his hand on her shoulder and she turned to face him.
‘I’m fine. Really.’ Even to her own ears she sounded anything but fine.
‘Really, you’re not,’ said Jake. He pulled her into him and stroked her hair.
The kindness of his touch, just being in his arms, was such a comfort. It took her by surprise and she allowed herself the luxury of his reassurance.
‘It’s been a bad day,’ she said eventually, pulling away from him.
‘Want to tell me about it?’
‘I won’t bore you with the details,’ she said. ‘There was an incident at the bus stop this morning with Poppy and some of the kids from the local school. I had to intervene.’
‘Is she OK?’
‘Yeah. She’s fine. It’s me who has gone to pieces.’
‘It’s amazing how much emotion children can
